3 men face federal drug, gun charges

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are teaming up to break the continuing cycle of violence, drug dealing and gang activity crushing city neighborhoods and the residents who in many cases have become hostages in the neighborhoods.

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, along with Rochester Police and representatives from several other law enforcement agencies, announced Friday the arrest and indictment of three men allegedly connected to a west-side gang known as “M.D.B.” or “The Broezel Boys”.

Indicted are Jacob “JJ” Rivera, 22, Kevin “Nash” Feliciano, 19, and Marius “Florida” Johnson, 27, all of Rochester. They facing federal charges of narcotics trafficking, including conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine and marijuana. The men are also facing gun charges in federal court.

If convicted, they could face a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life, authorities said.

“We are all committed to ridding the streets of Rochester of violent, drug-dealing organizations,” said Hochul at a press conference Friday. “Yesterday, a federal grand jury indicted three particular individuals who were leaders and members of a particular gang.”

The press conference was held at the corner of Dewey and Lexington avenues, the center of the alleged gang activity, according to police. The gang allegedly controlled an open-air drug market in the area surrounding the intersection and operated several drug houses, including apartments on Lexington Avenue, Lakeview Park and West Main Street.

Federal authorities said the houses were used for processing, manufacturing and distributing drugs. Members of the gang also frequently possessed guns and used violence and threats to control the sale of drugs in the area, investigators said.

“We are taking the fight literally to the streets of Rochester,” Hochul said.